Ray Norton Helms, a lifelong resident of Prineville, passed away on Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 at a local care center. He had been in failing health for some time. He was 80 years old.
Memorial service will be held at the Community Church, 520 NE Elm Street, on Friday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Pastor Willard Fenderson and Pastor Scott Davis will be officiating.
Ray was the youngest of four children born to Autia Wilson "Slim" and Goldie (Goff) Helms. He was born in Prineville on Dec. 7, 1922. Most of his younger years were spent around Mitchell. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 17, 1941.
He served four years, mostly in the South Pacific on board the USS Gamble D.M.L. 15 in the early years of WWII. In 1944 and 1945 he was aboard the USS Watchaprague a P.T. boat tender. He was a Sonarman 1st Class. After his discharge from the Navy he went to Alaska for a year on a fishing boat and related work. On his return from Alaska he married Wanda Nelson McNeal in 1947. They separated in 1965. He then met and married Jan R. Heidinger in 1968. Ray spent nearly all his working years as a truck driver hauling gas, logs and lumber.
Ray was a member of B.P.O.E. #1814 for 52 years. He served as Exhalted Ruler in 1957 and 1958. Survivors include his wife Jan Helms of Prineville, step-daughters and sons-in-law Martie and Jim Sanders of Prineville, Marsha Bender of Canby, Sue and Steve Patterson, and Trudy and Paul Kinney of Beaverton; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-son Jack Heidinger, and nephew Perry Aden Helms.
Memorials may be made to Elks Eye Clinic, Elks Lodge #1814, 151 N Main Street, Prineville, OR 97754.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial service will be held at the Community Church, 520 NE Elm Street, on Friday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Pastor Willard Fenderson and Pastor Scott Davis will be officiating.
Ray was the youngest of four children born to Autia Wilson "Slim" and Goldie (Goff) Helms. He was born in Prineville on Dec. 7, 1922. Most of his younger years were spent around Mitchell. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 17, 1941.
He served four years, mostly in the South Pacific on board the USS Gamble D.M.L. 15 in the early years of WWII. In 1944 and 1945 he was aboard the USS Watchaprague a P.T. boat tender. He was a Sonarman 1st Class. After his discharge from the Navy he went to Alaska for a year on a fishing boat and related work. On his return from Alaska he married Wanda Nelson McNeal in 1947. They separated in 1965. He then met and married Jan R. Heidinger in 1968. Ray spent nearly all his working years as a truck driver hauling gas, logs and lumber.
Ray was a member of B.P.O.E. #1814 for 52 years. He served as Exhalted Ruler in 1957 and 1958. Survivors include his wife Jan Helms of Prineville, step-daughters and sons-in-law Martie and Jim Sanders of Prineville, Marsha Bender of Canby, Sue and Steve Patterson, and Trudy and Paul Kinney of Beaverton; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-son Jack Heidinger, and nephew Perry Aden Helms.
Memorials may be made to Elks Eye Clinic, Elks Lodge #1814, 151 N Main Street, Prineville, OR 97754.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ray Norton Helms, a lifelong resident of Prineville, passed away on Friday, Aug. 22, 2003 at a local care center. He had been in failing health for some time. He was 80 years old.
Memorial service will be held at the Community Church, 520 NE Elm Street, on Friday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Pastor Willard Fenderson and Pastor Scott Davis will be officiating.
Ray was the youngest of four children born to Autia Wilson "Slim" and Goldie (Goff) Helms. He was born in Prineville on Dec. 7, 1922. Most of his younger years were spent around Mitchell. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 17, 1941.
He served four years, mostly in the South Pacific on board the USS Gamble D.M.L. 15 in the early years of WWII. In 1944 and 1945 he was aboard the USS Watchaprague a P.T. boat tender. He was a Sonarman 1st Class. After his discharge from the Navy he went to Alaska for a year on a fishing boat and related work. On his return from Alaska he married Wanda Nelson McNeal in 1947. They separated in 1965. He then met and married Jan R. Heidinger in 1968. Ray spent nearly all his working years as a truck driver hauling gas, logs and lumber.
Ray was a member of B.P.O.E. #1814 for 52 years. He served as Exhalted Ruler in 1957 and 1958. Survivors include his wife Jan Helms of Prineville, step-daughters and sons-in-law Martie and Jim Sanders of Prineville, Marsha Bender of Canby, Sue and Steve Patterson, and Trudy and Paul Kinney of Beaverton; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-son Jack Heidinger, and nephew Perry Aden Helms.
Memorials may be made to Elks Eye Clinic, Elks Lodge #1814, 151 N Main Street, Prineville, OR 97754.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial service will be held at the Community Church, 520 NE Elm Street, on Friday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. with a lunch to follow. Pastor Willard Fenderson and Pastor Scott Davis will be officiating.
Ray was the youngest of four children born to Autia Wilson "Slim" and Goldie (Goff) Helms. He was born in Prineville on Dec. 7, 1922. Most of his younger years were spent around Mitchell. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 17, 1941.
He served four years, mostly in the South Pacific on board the USS Gamble D.M.L. 15 in the early years of WWII. In 1944 and 1945 he was aboard the USS Watchaprague a P.T. boat tender. He was a Sonarman 1st Class. After his discharge from the Navy he went to Alaska for a year on a fishing boat and related work. On his return from Alaska he married Wanda Nelson McNeal in 1947. They separated in 1965. He then met and married Jan R. Heidinger in 1968. Ray spent nearly all his working years as a truck driver hauling gas, logs and lumber.
Ray was a member of B.P.O.E. #1814 for 52 years. He served as Exhalted Ruler in 1957 and 1958. Survivors include his wife Jan Helms of Prineville, step-daughters and sons-in-law Martie and Jim Sanders of Prineville, Marsha Bender of Canby, Sue and Steve Patterson, and Trudy and Paul Kinney of Beaverton; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-son Jack Heidinger, and nephew Perry Aden Helms.
Memorials may be made to Elks Eye Clinic, Elks Lodge #1814, 151 N Main Street, Prineville, OR 97754.
Whispering Pines Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Inscription
SO1 US Navy - World War II
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
